Three-dimensional stand alone pop up assembly and method

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a stand-alone pop up assembly and method for making the same is provided comprising a roof structure connected with a plurality of wall panels by way of roof interface component for attaching the roof to the structure. The assembly is moveable between a first position being substantially flat into a one dimensional structure and a second position enfolded into a three dimensional structure by manipulating the outer structure and the internal base. The roof interface component may swivel into place during the movement to the three dimensional structure, thereby positioning the roof structure over the upper portions of the first and second panel walls or, alternatively, a sliding feature is provided with a tab from the roof inserted into a slot at the top of one of the panel walls, thereby sliding the roof into position.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A stand-alone pop-up assembly comprising:
 an outer structure having at least a first and second panel wall, each having a square or rectangular lower portion having a bottom edge, top edge and first and second side edges; 
 a first glue tab along the top edge of the first panel wall extending upwards from the two side edges of the first panel wall; 
 a roof interface tab extending upwards from the side edges of the second panel wall, the roof interface tab having a cutout slot centered on the roof interface tab between the two side edges; 
 a third and fourth panel wall, each having a square or rectangular lower portion having a bottom edge, first and second side edges with an upper portion forming a triangular shape extending to a vertex centered between the two side edges, the first edge of the third panel wall demarcated from the second edge of the fourth panel via a first score line, the second edge of the third panel wall demarcated from the first edge of the first panel wall, via a second score line, the first edge of the fourth panel wall demarcated from the second edge of the first panel wall by a third score line, and the second edge of the fourth panel wall permanently attachable to the first edge of the second panel wall; 
 a roof structure formed from a square or rectangular plane divided in half by a score line forming a first planar front side with an outer surface and an inner surface, and a second planar rear side with an outer and inner surface, the first planar side and the second planar side meeting at the score line forming a roof ridge apex; and 
 a second glue tab having a rectangular shape with a top side, bottom side, right and left side, with an insert tab also having a rectangular shape with a length of the insert tab extending upwards from the left side, aligned with the left side and inserted into the cutout slot of the interface tab; 
 wherein the bottom side of the second glue tab is permanently attachable to a bottom edge of the rear side of the roof structure, and the assembly is moveable between a first position being substantially flat folded closed into a one dimensional structure and a second position enfolded into a three dimensional structure by manipulating the outer structure, and the insert tab is slid within the slot cutout during movement into the three dimensional structure, thereby positioning the roof structure over the upper portions of the panel walls. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the internal base does not extend beyond the panel walls of the outer structure when the assembly is in the second open position. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 1  wherein a chimney structure is provided and removably attachable via tabs on the chimney structure insertable, one each, into a first slot on the front planar side near the roof ridge apex and a second slot on the rear planar side near the roof ridge apex. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the panel walls of the outer structure is visible when the assembly is in the first position. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 1  adapted for placement of one or more lights within the outer structure to light an interior volume of the assembly when the assembly is in the second position. 
     
     
       6. A method for making a stand-alone pop-up assembly comprising an outer structure having at least a first and second panel wall, each having a square or rectangular lower portion having a bottom edge, top edge and first and second side edges, a first glue tab along the top edge of the first panel wall extending upwards from the two side edges of the first panel wall, a roof interface tab extending upwards from the side edges of the second panel wall, the roof interface tab having a cutout slot centered on the roof interface tab between the two side edges; third and fourth panel walls, each having a square or rectangular lower portion having a bottom edge and two side edges with an upper portion forming a triangular shape extending to a vertex centered between the two side edges, a roof structure and a roof interface; comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a roof structure formed from a square or rectangular plane divided in half by a score line forming a first planar front side with an outer surface and an inner surface, and a second planar rear side with an outer and inner surface, the first planar side and the second planar side meeting at the score line forming a roof ridge apex; 
 b) providing a second glue tab having a rectangular shape with a top side, bottom side, right and left side, with an insert tab also having a rectangular shape with a length of the insert tab extending upwards from the left side, aligned with the left side; 
 c) permanently attaching the bottom side of the second glue tab to a bottom edge of the rear side of the roof structure, and inserting the insert tab into the cutout slot of the interface tab; and 
 d) moving the assembly between a first position, being substantially flat folded closed one dimensional structure, and a second position, enfolded into a three dimensional structure by manipulating the outer structure, and the insert tab is slid within the slot cutout during movement into the three dimensional structure, thereby positioning the roof structure over the upper portions of the panel walls, wherein each vertex aligns with the roof ridge apex. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the internal base does not extend beyond the panel walls of the outer structure when the assembly is in the second open position. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein a chimney structure is provided and removably attachable via tabs on the chimney structure insertable, one each, into a first slot on the front planar side near the roof ridge apex and a second slot on the rear planar side near the roof ridge apex. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the panel walls of the outer structure is visible when the assembly is in the first position. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the internal base is adapted for placement of one or more lights within the outer structure to light an interior volume of the assembly when the assembly is in the second position.